Yandik: No run for Congress in 2018

Will Yandik during his debate with Zephyr Teachout, Democratic candidates for the 19th Congressional District seat, on Capital Tonight at the TWC News studios on Wednesday June 15, 2016 in Albany, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Will Yandik during his debate with Zephyr Teachout, Democratic candidates for the 19th Congressional District seat, on Capital Tonight at the TWC News studios on Wednesday June 15, 2016 in Albany, N.Y. (Michael ... more

Will Yandik during his debate with Zephyr Teachout, Democratic candidates for the 19th Congressional District seat, on Capital Tonight at the TWC News studios on Wednesday June 15, 2016 in Albany, N.Y. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union) less

Will Yandik during his debate with Zephyr Teachout, Democratic candidates for the 19th Congressional District seat, on Capital Tonight at the TWC News studios on Wednesday June 15, 2016 in Albany, N.Y. (Michael ... more

Columbia County farmer Will Yandik, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination in last year's 19th Congressional District race, will not run again in 2018, he announced Tuesday.

Yandik, who is also a local government official, said in a statement that though he is grateful for the encouragement from supporters in recent months, "now is not the right time for me and my family to run for Congress."

"There is so much at stake in the 2018 elections," he said. "Our son John just turned one year old this week and we want him to grow up in a country with a bright future and unlimited opportunities. To accomplish this, we need a representative in Congress who will stand up for families, build jobs and communities, and resist the worrying trend of this current administration to weaken our democracy."

Yandik lost the primary to Zephyr Teachout, a 2014 gubernatorial candidate who had lost that Democratic contest to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Teachout has told supporters that she will not run again in 2018, Politico New York reported earlier this month.

Still, the Democratic field for next year already seems crowded. Antonio Delgado of Dutchess County, Steve Brisee of Ulster County and Brian Flynn of Greene County all have filed statements of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.

The 19th District seat is held by Republican Rep. John Faso, who defeated Teachout in last year's election.

The district covers parts or all of Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery and Schoharie counties in the Capital Region. It runs into the mid-Hudson Valley and west toward the Southern Tier.